Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions



July 3, 1962 R. P. JACKSON 3,042,025

APPARATUS FOR TREATING BODY AND SPINAL DISTORTIONS Filed March 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 247 if?" INVENTOR.

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c w JL d United States Patent 3,942,025 APPARATUS FOR TREATING BODY AND SPINAL DISTORTIONS Robert 1. Jackson, 500 th Ave., Inglewood, Calif. Filed Ma 1, 1955, Ser. No. 491,265 21 Claims. (Cl. 128-33) This invention relates to apparatus for treating distortions of the spine and adjacent areas of the human body.

It is an object of this invention to provide simply constructed, inexpensive and compact apparatus for the purpose stated, which is especially designed to utilize in a novel and efficient manner the force of gravity as a medium of corrective treatment of a patient positioned on the apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus such as described wherein novel means are provided for imparting vibratory forces to a patient positioned on the apparatus in a manner according to the corrective treatment indicated.

It is an additional object hereof to provide apparatus such as described wherein a part of the apparatus is arranged -to support a part of the body of a patient in an elevated position relative to other parts of the body and in such a manner that the desired corrective treatment will be applied to the patient by the force of gravity or by mechanical manipulation or by both such forces.

Another object hereof is the provision of apparatus such as described in which the elevated body supporting member thereof readily lends itself to the provision thereon of an inclined surface for supporting the body in position best to correct the particular distortion of the body or spinal area under the treatments afforded by the apparatus.

Another object hereof is the provision of apparatus such as described wherein a novel form of skeleton frame supports a plurality of body supporting members in positions corresponding to the inclination and disposition of parts of the frame whereby the corrective treatments afforded by the apparatus readily may be carried out.

A further object of this invention is the provision of apparatus such as described embodying a novel sectional frame which when not in use may be conveniently folded into small compass for shipment or storage.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown one form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying the present invention as when ready for use;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the apparatus as when folded;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing how a corrective treatment may be effected with a patient lying upon his back upon the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing how a patient may be treated when lying face down on the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation showing how a patient in another position may be treated with the apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the apparatus, showing how a pad providing an inclined body-supporting surface may be mounted on the elevated body supporting member of the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary end elevation of the elevated body supported member and pad, as shown in FIG. 11, and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 11, illustrating how a part of the body of a patient may be rested upon the inclined supporting surface, shown in FIG. 11.

Apparatus made in accordance with this invention embodies means providing an elevated body supporting member and downwardly inclined body supporting members extending in opposite directions from the elevated member. The several body supporting members are spaced longitudinally whereby different parts of the body of a patient may be supported thereby or rested thereon in a manner making use of the force of gravity as a medium of corrective treatment.

The elevated body supporting member also lends itself to novel treatment functions in addition to utilizing the force of gravity. One such function is that of imparting vibrations to the body as a medium of corrective treatment. The other function is that of providing an inclined body supporting surface which produces a twisting or torsional stress in a part or parts of the body and positions the body in a manner making possible the desired treatments under the forces provided by the apparatus.

As here shown, the apparatus is made in two sections arranged to be folded into small compass when not in use. This feature together with the compactness, inexpensiveness and ease of operation of the apparatus makes the apparatus well suited for home or individual use under prescription as to treatment to be followed.

The present embodiment of this invention includes an elongated rectangular frame 1 having an elevated portion 2, and downwardly inclined portions 3 and 4 extending in opposite directions from the elevated portion so as to rest upon a floor or other surface for supporting the frame.

The frame 1 at one end is also provided with a portion 5 which is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of the downwardly inclined portion 4, thereby, with the latter portion, forming a V-shaped part of the frame in which the portions 4 and 5 are substantially equal in length so that the parts of the body of the patient which will be rested on the portions 4 and 5 or either thereof will be comfortably disposed in positions best to receive the desired treatment, for example, when the patient lies on the apparatus in the positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In order that the frame 1 may be folded into small compass when not in use, it is made in two sections 7 and 8, the inner end portions of which are hingedly connected and provide the elevated portion 2.

The section 7 is made of light metal tubing forming side members 7a and an end or cross member 7b. The section 8 is similarly formed to provide side members 8a and a cross or end member 8b.

A pair of downwardly-opening channelled members or brackets 10 are secured by fastenings 11 to the inner end portions of the side members 7a of the section 7, so as to embrace these end portions. These channelled members also embrace corresponding end portions of the side members 8a of the section 8. The end portions of the side members 8a are hinged to the channelled brackets 10 by means of the pivot rod 12 located so that the end portions on both sections will overlap within the channelled members 10 when the sections are extended.

When folded as shown in FIG. 7, the sections of the frame are disposed in side-by-side relation so that they will stand on end.

Rubber bumper members 14 are provided on the side members 7a so as to be interposed as cushioning elements between the overlapping portions of the side members of the two sections of the frame.

A plurality of body supporting members are longitudinally spaced along the frame 1. Thus, adjacent the outer end of the frame section 7, that is, on the inclined portion 3 of the frame, are a pair of laterally spaced and suitably cushioned, elongated members 15. These members extend lengthwise of the frame and are supported on cross rods 16 in turn secured by clamps 17 to the side members 7a. The members are slanted inwardly as well as downwardly inclined, to serve as a convenient rest for the head of a patient, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, or as a rest for the small of the back of a patient, as shown in FIG. 10. The clamps 17 when loosened provide for longitudinal adjustment of the members 15 as desired, best to suit the particular patient or treatment desired.

A suitably cushioned supporting member 19 for supporting the torso is mounted on the side members 7a which forms the downwardly inclined portion 3 of the frame 1: This member 19 is secured to the side members 7a by clamps 20 which afford adjustment of the member 19 longitudinally of the frame in the same manner as the members 15.

An intermediate body-supporting member 21 is mounted on the elevated portion 2 of the frame for supporting the sacrum area or pelvic region of the body as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, or for supporting the head of the patient as shown in FIG. 10. The member 21 is supported in a horizontal position on the end portions of the side bars 7a of the section 7 of the frame, being secured thereto over the brackets 10 by bolts 22. As this member 2 1 is adapted for imparting vibratory forces to the body of the patient it is resiliently supported, there being elongated resilient rubber members 23 interposed between the channelled members 10 and the member 21 to effect this resilient support.

A supporting member 24, particularly adapted for supporting the thighs, is secured by clamps 25 to the inclined portion 4 of the frame in the same manner as the member 19 being downwardly inclined in correspondence to the inclination of the portion 4 of the frame.

A supporting member 27 adapted for supporting the lower limbs is fastened on the inclined outer end portion 5 of the frame section 8 in the same manner as the member 24. FIGS. 8 and 9 show how the member 27 may be used as a support for the lower limbs of a patient.

As shown in FIG. 9, when a patient lies face down on the apparatus with the sacrum region rested on and elevated by the body supporting member 21, the other parts of the body are inclined downwardly and are substantially supine. By remaining in the position for prescribed periods of time, the force of gravity is applied as a treatment meansure to the elevated portion of the body.

A similar treatment is afforded when the patient lies on his back, as shown in FIG. 8.

In some cases it may be desired that the part of the body rested on the intermediate supporting member 21 be inclined transversely during treatment afforded by the apparatus. Accordingly, provision is made for presenting a transversely inclined body supporting surface on the member 21, as shown in FIGS. 11-13. This may be accomplished by the use of a wedge-shaped pad 30 detachably bounted on the member 21. One means of detachably mounting such a pad is to employ a flexible covering 31 therefor which has an elastic margin 32 to fit around and under the member 21. However, any suitable means may be employed for detachably mounting this pad in place on the member 21. In fact such a pad or one similar thereto having the desired inclination, may be mounted on any of the body supporting members, should this be desired.

As manipulation of the body is sometimes desired, means are provided for imparting vibratory forces to the part of the body resting upon the elevated member 21. This means includes an electric motor 35 suspended from the underside of the member 21 so as to be supported entirely by the member 21. Bolts 35 and resilient rubber cushioning washers 37 are employed to resiliently secure the motor to the member 21. The motor shaft 35 extends from opposite ends of the motor and each end of this shaft has a weight 39 eccentrically mounted thereon whereby vibrations will be created so as to be effective through the body-supporting member 21 when the motor is operated. The weights may be mounted apart on the shaft 38 or otherwise relatively angularly disposed to provide the desired vibratory action.

It will now be apparent that the simply constructed, compact and inexpensive apparatus of this invention, will provide for treatment of spinal and body disorders in a particularly eflicacious manner by reason of the novel construction and relative arrangement of the frame and body supporting elements; the means for presenting a transversely inclined body-supporting surface, and with the novel means for imparting vibratory forces to the body of the patient.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said intermediate portion for engaging a floor or other supporting surface to support said intermediate portion in an elevated position; said frame having a portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of one of said inclined portions; and body supporting members on said portions said upwardly and outwardly extended portion having its upper end disposed below the plane of the body-supporting member on said intermediate portion.

2. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated interl mediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; one of said inclined portions being longer than the other and adapted to rest upon a floor or other supporting surface; said frame having a portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of said other inclined portion; a body-supporting member on each of said portions; and means for vibrating the body-supporting member on said elevated portion said lower end being disposed to support said frame with said elevated intermediate portion at a greater elevation than any other portion of said frame.

3. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; body-supporting members on said portions; and means detachably mounted on one of said body-supporting members being elongate with its major axis extending transversely of said frame and providing a body-supporting surface inclined the full length of the elongate bodysupporting member across said frame.

4. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; body-supporting members mounted on said portions in longitudinally spaced relation along said frame; means resiliently supporting the body supporting member on said elevated portion; said downwardly inclined portions being engageable with a floor or similar surface as the J sole means of support for said elevated portion; and means supported by said elevated body-supporting memher for imparting vibrations to the part of the body supported thereon; the body-supporting member on said elevated portion having its upper surface disposed in a plane above that of the other portions of said frame.

5. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; said downwardly inclined portions having their lower ends disposed to rest upon a floor or other surface as the sole means for supporting the frame; a body-supporting member on each of said portions; and means suspended from the body-supporting member on said elevated portion operable for vibrating said elevated body-supporting member; the body-supporting member on said elevated portion having its upper surface disposed in a plane above that of the other portions of said frame.

6. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated generally rectangular frame having opposed side bars joined by cross bars; said frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; said inclined portions being adapted to rest upon a floor or surface as the sole means for supporting said frame; a body supporting member fastened to the side bars of each of said portions; said body supporting members being spaced one from the other; means resiliently supporting the body supporting member on said elevated portion; and vibrating means supported in entirety on said elevated body-supporting member operable for vibrating the part of the body on said elevated body-supporting member; the body-supporting member on said elevated portion having its upper surface disposed in a plane above that of the other portions of said frame.

7. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional and foldable frame formed of but two rigid sections hingedly joined for movement between extended and folded positions; means carried by said frame at said joint of said frame operable to prevent collapse of the frame when in said extended position; said frame providing when extended an elevated intermediate portion and a pair of downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to rest upon a floor or similar surface to support said frame; and body-supporting members mounted on said elevated and inclined portions of said frame; said pair of downwardly inclined portions constituting the sole support of said frame.

8. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional and foldable frame in which the sections are hingedly joined for movement between extended and folded positions; means carried by said frame at said joint of said frame operable to prevent collapse of the frame when in said extended position; said frame providing when extended an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to rest upon a floor or other surface for supporting said frame; body-supporting members mounted on said portions of said frame; and means for vibrating the bodysupporting member mounted on said elevated portion.

.9. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional and foldable frame in which the sections are hingedly joined for movement between extended and folded positions; means carried by said frame at said joint of said frame operable to prevent collapse of the frame when in said extended position; said frame providing when extended an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to rest upon a floor or other surface for supporting said frame; body-supporting members mounted on said portions of said frame; and means for vibrating the bodysupporting member mounted on said elevated portion; said vibrating means being carried by said elevated bodysupporting member.

10. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional and foldable frame formed of but two rigid sections hingedly joined for movement between extended and folded positions; means carried by said frame at said joint of said frame operable to prevent collapse of the frame when in said extended position; said two sections cooperatively providing when extended an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to rest on the floor or other supporting surface; said frame when extended also providing a body supporting portion which is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of one of said downwardly inclined portions; and body supporting members on said portions of said frame; said downwardly inclined portions being the sole support of said frame.

11. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional and foldable frame in which two sections are hingedly joined for movement between extended and folded positions; means carried by said frame at said joint of said frame operable to prevent collapse of the frame when in said extended position; each providing when extended an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portion extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; said frame when extended also providing a portion which is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of one of said downwardly inclined portions; there being a joint of said upwardly inclined portion and said one downwardly inclined portion for engaging a floor or other surface in cooperation with the lower end of the other downwardly inclined portions as the sole means for supporting said frame; and body supporting members on said portions of said frame; said body-supporting members on said inclined portions being inclined in correspondence to said inclined portions.

12. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions ex tending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to rest upon a supporting surface for said frame; body-supporting members on said portions; and means suspended from said elevated portion for vibrating the body-supporting member on said elevated portion; the body-supporting member on said elevated portion being elongated with its major axis extending transversely of said frame; the remainder of said body-supporting members on said inclined portions being inclined in correspondence with said inclined portions; said downwardly inclined portions being the sole means of support for i said frame.

13. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional frame having two sections formed of side bars and cross bars; said sections of the frame providing an elevated portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to engage a supporting surface for said frame; said downwardly inclined portions being the sole support of said frame; a pair of channelled members fixed to the side bars of one of said sections; means hingedly connecting said side bars of the other section to said channelled members; said channelled members embracing portions of the side bars of both sections; said embraced portions of said side bars abutting to prevent collapse of said frame from an extended position; an intermediate body supporting member mounted on said elevated portion; cushioning means interposed between said body supporting member and the frame; and other body-supporting members mounted on said inclined portions.

14. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated sectional frame having two sections formed of side bars and cross bars; said sections of the frame providing an elevated portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion so as to rest upon a floor or other supporting surface; said downwardly inclined portions being the sole support of said frame; a pair of channelled members fixed to the side bars of one of said sections; means hingedly connecting said side bars of the other section to said channel-led members; said channelled members embracing portions of the side bars of both sections; said embraced portions of said side bars abutting to prevent collapse of the frame from a position in which the elevated portion is supported by said downwardly inclined portions; an intermediate body supporting member mounted on said elevated portion; cushioning means interposed between said body supporting member and the frame; other body-supporting members mounted on said inciined portions; and means carried by said intermediate body-supporting member for imparting vibration to the part of the body supported on said intermediate body supporting member.

15. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elevated member for supporting part of the body of a patient; a pair of members for supporting other parts of the body of a patient; said last named members being joined to and inclined downwardly in opposite directions from said elevated member so as to rest upon a floor or other surface as the sole means for supporting said elevated member; said elevated member being formed by superimposed end portions of the members of said pair; means cooperable with said end portions to maintain said elevated portion in an elevated position; and means for imparting vibrations to the body of the patient from one of said members.

16. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elevated member for supporting part of the body of a patient; a pair of members for supporting other parts of the body of a patient; said last named members being joined with end portions thereof lying one above the other to form said elevated member; the remainder of said members of said pair being inclined downwardly in opposite directions from said said elevated member so as to rest upon a floor or other surface thereby to support said elevated member; one of the members of said pair being V-shaped and disposed so that each leg thereof affords support for a part of the body; and means on said elevated member for imparting vibrations to the body of the patient through said elevated member.

17. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elevated member for supporting part of the body of a patient; a pair of members for supporting other parts of the body of a patient; said last named members having end portions disposed one above the other to form said elevated member; means joining said end portions; the remainder of said members of said pair being inclined downwardly in opposite directions from said elevated member so as to rest upon a floor or other surface thereby to support said elevated member; one of the members of said pair being V-shaped and including side bars and members supported on and extended transversely of said side bars; and means supported in entirety by and beneath said elevated member for imparting vibrations to the body of the patient through said elevated member.

18. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; said downwardly inc-lined portions being engageable with a floor or other surface as the sole means for supporting said frame; said downwardly inclined portions having angularly positioned extensions disposed one above the other and forming said elevated intermediate portion; means securing said angularly positioned extensions together to prevent collapse of the frame; a body supporting member mounted on said intermediate portion; means mounting the body-supporting member on the uppermost angular extension; a body supporting member mounted on each of said downwardly inclined portions; each of said inclined portions including opposed side bars joined by cross bars at the ends thereof; and means supported by said first named body supporting member for vibrating said first named body supporting member.

19. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: an elongated frame having an elevated intermediate portion and downwardly inclined portions extending in opposite directions from said elevated portion; said downwardly inclined portions having end portions engageable with a floor or other surface as the sole means for supporting said frame; the other end portions of said downwardly inclined portions being extended substantially horizontally one over the other to form said elevated intermediate portion; means securing said horizontal portions together to prevent collapse of the frame; a body supporting member mounted on said intermediate portion; each of said intermediate and inclined portions including opposed side bars; a body supporting member mounted on each of said downwardly inclined portions; said body supporting members being fastened to and extending transversely of said side bars; one of said inclined portions being longer than the other and inclined in one plane; cross members secured to said longer inclined member; head supporting members supported on said cross members; and means supported solely by said first named body supporting member on the under side thereof for imparting vibrations to the body through said first named body supporting member.

20. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: means providing -a first member for supporting a part of the body; means providing a second bodysupporting member joined to and inclined downwardly from one side of said first member so as to rest upon the floor; and a V-shaped body-supporting member having legs; portions of said legs and portions of said second body-supporting member being disposed one above the other as a support for said first body-supporting member; said legs extending downwardly from the other side of said first member so as to rest upon the floor said V shaped member having other legs extending upwardly from the lower ends of said downwardly extending legs; said second body supporting member and said downward ly extending legs of said V-shaped member constituting the sole means of support of said first member.

21. Apparatus for treating body and spinal distortions comprising: means providing a first member for support-v ing a part of the body; means providing a second body supporting member inclined downwardly from and joined to one side of said first member so as to rest upon the floor; a V-shaped body-supporting member having one leg extending downwardly from the other side of said first member; a portion of said second body-supporting member and a portion of said V-shaped body-supporting member being combined to form a support for said first named body-supporting member; the other leg of said V-shaped member being extended upwardly from said one leg; and means connected with and operable for vibrating said first member; said second member and said V-shaped member supporting said first member and said vibrating means in an elevated position.

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